By Aaron Tay, Head, Data Services
As we kick off 2026, SMU Libraries are excited to support your research and learning journey. Whether you're exploring AI-powered literature reviews, joining conversations about how AI is transforming research practices, or discovering alternative metrics beyond traditional citations, we've curated resources and events to help you navigate the evolving landscape of academic work. Read on to learn about premium tool access, upcoming panels, and recordings from our recent webinar series.
Tool: Premium access to Consensus
Consensus.app - All SMU undergraduates, postgraduates, faculty and staff now have premium access to Consensus -- a powerful AI Literature review search tool until Aug 2026.
This account gives you unlimited Quick and Pro searches and 50 Deep Searches a month. Register with your SMU email!
Missed the talk on Consensus and the new Google Scholar Labs? Watch the recording of the talk given on Consenus and Google Scholar Labs last month!
Panel: How are researchers using AI, and what have they learned?
How are researchers actually using AI in their work --- and what have they learned along the way?
Join us for a Structured Dialogue where PhD students, early-career researchers, and practitioners share their candid experiences with AI tools for writing, coding, analysis, publishing and literature discovery. Instead of a technical demo, this session brings together diverse voices to explore questions such as:
- When does AI truly add value in the research process?
- What trade-offs or ethical concerns arise?
- How is AI reshaping the way we think, write, and collaborate?
Moderated in a conversational format, this dialogue invites honest reflection and constructive exchange --- spotlighting how researchers and practitioners are navigating the promises and pitfalls of AI in practice.
Event Details
- Date: Thursday, 22 January 2026
- Time: 10:00 AM--12:00 PM
- Location: Learning Lab 1 @ Li Ka Shing Library level 5
- Register here : https://smu-sg.libcal.com/event/5859563
Recording: Exploring Research Impact Beyond Traditional Metrics Webinar series
In 2024, the Financial Times created a new ranking of business schools - FT research insights report that went beyond traditional citation counts, focusing instead on "rigour, resonance and relevance." To do this, they drew from others platforms like Overton, Open Syllabus, Scite, OpenAlex and more---alternatives to conventional sources like Web of Science or Scopus. More recently, they published the 2025 version of it.
What do these alternative platforms measure, and how do they work?
As such, SMU Libraries curated a series of talks in November 2025 exploring how platforms such as Overton, Open Syllabus, Scite.ai, and Open Alex track alternative indicators - from using policy documents to course syllabi to changing the nature of the way we track scholarly citations themselves.
The aim here is to help researchers discover what these platforms offer and consider how they might complement traditional approaches to understanding research influence.
The recordings are as below
- Exploring research impact beyond traditional metrics: Overton on public policy -- Euan Adie
- Exploring research impact beyond traditional metrics: Open Syllabus on education -- Joe Karaganis
- Exploring research impact beyond traditional metrics: Scite on citation sentiment -- Sean Rife
- Exploring research impact beyond traditional metrics: OpenAlex on open research intelligence -- Kyle Demes
